Benjamin (Ben) H. Benson, 76, of Haifa, Israel died peacefully at his family’s home in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, July 22, 2006. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Slifman Benson and his daughter, Lynda Benson Pollak. He is survived by his children, Susan and Mark Sisisky of Richmond, Virginia, Dana and Jeff Melnick of Portland, Oregon and Yaakov Pollak and Nitza Katz of Shorashim, Israel; his sister and brother-in-law, Pearl and Stan Felson of Hayward, California; and his loving companion and friend Zyta Eliyahu of Haifa. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren; Joy Sisisky and Jonathan Salky, Zach and Clare Sisisky, Reut, Tal and Shlomit Pollak, Galya Katz, Sydney, Liat and Nessa Melnick and nephews Leonard, Howard and Jeff Felson, Richard Brownstein and many more cousins and relatives. Ben was born in Toronto, Canada and came to Los Angeles, California in 1949 where he met his wife. From there, Ben and his wife moved to Portland, Oregon where he was employed by Division Street Plywood and Door. In 1956, he and his family settled in Fresno, California where he remained until he and his wife moved to Israel in 1986. In Fresno, Ben was active at Congregation Beth Jacob and Congregation Beth Israel. He was employed by Maidenform, Inc. and owned and operated The Bagel Bakers. Upon his move to Israel 20 years ago, Ben served as a volunteer for the Israeli Defense Force. He served on the board of the Association of Americas and Canadians in Israel (AACI) and was involved in the Zionist Organization of America. He was instrumental in helping plant the Ilan Ramon Memorial Forest in Israel through the AACI. Professionally, Ben became an import/export consultant to a number of Israeli businesses and communities. Services were conducted in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 3 p.m. at the Nevak Zedek Rose City lodge Chapel on Canyon lane. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to charity of your choice.
Morris Raymond Bobo passed away after a courageous battle with Leukemia on August 2, 2006. Beloved father of Deborah Morrell, Sheri Barkowski & Michael Bobo, cherished grandfather of 8, dear brother of Louise Sinkoe, Catherine Beberman and the late Eli and Joe Bobo. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on Aug 10, 1937, Morris served proudly in the Navy, then retired after a long career as a U.S. Customs employee. Morris was an avid gemstone collector and enthusiast. He will be dearly missed and remembered by his family and friends. Graveside services were held Sunday, August 6th at 11 a.m. at B’nai Israel Cemetery, 430 Magnolia Ave, Petaluma. Donations in Morris’ name can be made to the Leukemia Society, 1390 Market St., Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94122. Arrangements by Mandel Funeral Services of Northern California.
Tillie Friedkin (Cohen) died at the age of 90 on August 1, 2006. She was the loving wife of the late Morry Friedkin for 43 years. She was also the wife of the late Jack Cohen. Beloved mother of Sandra (Harvey) Schuster and the late Arlene (Tony) Filipich. Survived by her brother Joe (Vera) Zatkin. Preceded in death by her brothers Al, Morry and Herman Zatkin. Devoted grandmother of Lesly (Gary) Rehaut and Helaine (Tom) Uhlig. Adored great-grandmother to Michele and Rebeca Rehaut and Emily, Megan and Lauren Uhlig. Remembered by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Contributions may be made in Tillie’s memory to the Jewish Home of San Francisco, 302 Silver Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112.
Tauba Gimpel, in Fremont on August 1, 2006 at age 85. Beloved wife of the late David Gimpel; loving mother of Miriam Gimpel Mazliach, (son-in-law Abe Mazliach), and adoring grandmother of Steven David Mazliach. Also survived by daughter Ruth Gimpel. Tauba was a Holocaust Survivor from Lask, Poland. After the war, she met her husband David in a Displaced Person’s camp in Germany. They moved to Israel where their first daughter Ruth was born and then to Canada where their second daughter Miriam was born. In 1965, the family moved to San Francisco where Tauba lived for 41 years. (David Gimpel died in 1970.) Tauba was a member of Local 648 -the Retail Clerk’s Union and worked at See’s Candies for 28 years. She was a long time member of Congregation Chevra Thilim in San Francisco. Funeral services were held at Sinai Memorial Chapel, 1501 Divisadero Street at Geary. Interment will be at Eternal Home Cemetery, 1051 El Camino Real, Colma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Holocaust Center of Northern California, 121 Steuart St., Ste. 10, SF, CA 94105, Phone 415-777-9060.
Arthur Kleinhandler, 93. Holocaust Survivor born in Chmielnik, Poland on June 9, 1913. Master tool and die maker. Died peacefully on July 29, 2006 in Los Angeles. Beloved husband of 64 years to Mary Kleinhandler, devoted father of Henriette Kleinhandler and Susan (Mitch) Golant, loving grandfather of Cherie Golant (Ron Gutierrez) and Aimee Golant (David Casella) and proud Papa of Julia (z’il) and Rose Golant Gutierrez. Also survived by brother Moishe Kleinhandler and sister Bluma Gozdzinski in Israel. May his integrity and strength be an example to all of us. Donations may be made in his memory to The 1939 Club, Inc. 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., #437, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Funeral services on August 2, 2006 at 11 AM. Hillside Cemetery, 6001 Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.